Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

7 reports

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Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2025

Unknown Or Other

hard to explain. looks like my NIV is ''bad''. There are 11 recalls on BMW 335xi Sedan 2011 and mine has 0 (same car, BUT special limited edition). For now, BMW is of no help at all, they follow their procedure which do not include my NIV in any way $$$. What to do next?

NHTSA ODI #11649455

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2025

Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or OtherFire

Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of a BMW authorized jump start battery charger/start etc. No access to Battery when the battery is discharged.

NHTSA ODI #11643883

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2023

EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping bec…

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NHTSA ODI #11554338

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2020

Unknown Or Other

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FRONT PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE STARTS TO MELT DURING ANY HOT CONDITION. ONCE MELTING DETERIORATION STARTS, DOOR HANDLE GETS EXTREMELY STICKY AND SOFT (LEAVES A LOT OF UNKNOWN RESIDUE ON ANY PASSENGER HAND) TO ANY HAND TOUCH DURING ANY WEATHER CONDITION (COLD/HOT). DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENTS ARE TOUCHED BY PASSENGERS AND CAN BE UNSAFE IF A KID UNDER 18 EATS THE DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENT'S WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HANDLE CAN BE UNSAFE TO A GRIP IN CASE OF ACCIDENT (COULD FALL OFF AND END IN PASSENGER HAND). EXTREMELY BAD (POOR) MATERIAL WERE USED FOR INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. PICTURES CAN BE SUBMITTED IF REQUESTED (CMARA NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329681

31,200 miles · Sep 17, 2019

TiresUnknown Or Other

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I AM PERPLEXED THAT NHSTA ALLOWS TIRE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTY. ANY MERCHANDISE SOLD TO PUBLIC HAS AT LEAST 1 YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS IN PARTS, MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP BUT NOT TIRES. THE ONLY PART THAT CONNECTS A VEHICLE TO A SURFACE IS A TIRE. THEREFORE, TIRES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON A CAR BUT YET MANUFACTURERS CAN SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTING THAT THE TIRES WOULD PERFORM AS THEY ARE INTENDED EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DRIVEN A FEW MILES. BRIDGESTONE RE050A RSC RUN-FLAT TIRES DRIVEN LESS THAN 11000 MILES WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND ONE OF THE TIRES HAD ALREADY DEVELOPED A BULGE THE SIZE OF A BANANA. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO OF THE TIRE. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE A MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE OLD BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ONE. IF I DIED AND CAUSED DEATH ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT, THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE BY NHSTA OR ANYBODY. THERE IS NOT EVEN A SECTION TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TIRES. THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO PUT THIS COMPLAINT IN THE VEHICLE SECTION. DOES THIS MEAN NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CARES ABOUT OUR SAFETY? LUCKILY, I CAUGHT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR LIVES. ARE YOU WAITING FOR ENOUGH LIVES TO BE CONSUMED BY THIS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION?

NHTSA ODI #11256134

48,000 miles · Nov 29, 2017

Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DECLINED ASSISTANCE FROM THE EMT, BUT WENT TO AN URGENT CARE. FACILITY FOR CUTS TO THE RIGHT HAND, FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT PINKY FINGER, A CONCUSSION, AN UNKNOWN PARTIALLY DEFLATED LUNG, AND INCONCLUSIVE X-RAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11051237

69,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015

Unknown Or Other

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10744280

Official recalls

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V067000 · Power Train:driveline:constant Velocity Joint

Feb 2, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 10, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

11V476000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Sep 15, 2011

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, THEY MAY BECOME LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.